PHOTOS: Houston shuts down after region receives over a foot of rain in 24 hours

Torrential rainfall inundated the Houston area on Monday morning, shutting down the city.

City officials encouraged all residents to avoid travel as roadways were impassable. Most public school districts closed on Monday. The University of Houston canceled classes as well.

Debris was seen floating through city and residential streets as water rose as high as mailboxes in some areas. As of 7 a.m. CDT, 70 subdivisions in the Houston metro area were flooded according to the National Weather Service.

More than 150 water rescues were performed from Sunday into Monday morning, officials said.

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In parts of western Harris County, more than 14 inches of rain fall in less than 24 hours. Parts of downtown Houston have received nearly 6 inches of rain in the past 24 hours.

More than 120,000 CentrePoint Energy customers in Harris County were without power as of 7:20 a.m. CDT.

"As the storm approached Houston early on Monday, it was very slow moving," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said. "Another line of thunderstorms developed from the west, eventually enhancing the rainfall."

Rainfall will continue into the afternoon, exacerbating any flooding, Roys said.